Smart channel entry system

ABSTRACT

An interactive system is provided in which information is displayed in response to the entry of the digits of a channel number. The interactive system may be implemented on a television, a computer, or a radio system. The displayed information may be program listings information such as the channel designator or the program currently airing on the channel. The displayed information may also be a list of channels. The list of channels may be associated with the entered digits, may be component channels, or channels of the same type and may be sorted by various techniques such as numerically, by favorite channels, by type, etc. The interactive system may allow a user to specify a source identifier to channels from different sources and display the channels with the source identifier when they are entered.

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,315,filed Dec. 3, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 60/110,988, filed Dec. 3, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to interactive channel number entry systems. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to interactive television channelnumber entry wherein after each digit is entered, information associatedwith the entered channel or information to assist the user in channelentry is displayed.

Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems are increasinglyproviding more television channels to viewers. Viewers havetraditionally been able to remember the channel numbers of theirfavorite channels. However, as more channels become available, this isnot always possible. Users may only remember the approximate locationfor a desired channel number.

Television systems have recently been released that use componentservices. In such systems, there may be several related componentchannels in a digital multiplex. There is currently no convenient systemthat allows a user to easily tune to such component services andchannels.

Program guides implemented on set-top boxes are available that allow auser to enter a channel number with a remote control. Shortly after thechannel number has been entered, the program guide tunes the set-top boxto the entered channel and automatically displays an overlay bar on topof the video for that channel. The overlay bar may contain the channelnumber and associated program listings information such as the title ofthe current program for the channel and the channel's call letters. Thistype of program guide requires that the user remember the exact channelnumber to which the user desires to tune.

In an available e-mail reader application, users may search for thenames of a desired e-mail recipient by typing letters into a box as alist of potential recipients is displayed. As each letter is typed intothe box, the list moves to focus on the names that begin with theentered letters. This type of application does not work with channelnumbers.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system forfacilitating channel number entry.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a system for displayinginformation in response to each digit entered during channel entry,

It also an object of the invention to provide a system for displaying alist of channels during channel entry that may be associated with theentered digits.

It is also an object or the invention to notify a user when a channelnumber is related to component channels during channel entry andallowing the user to tune to one of the component channels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordancewith the principles of the present invention by providing an interactivechannel entry system. The system may display program listingsinformation relating to the channels that are associated with theentered digits during channel entry. The program listings informationfor a channel may include a channel designator (e.g., the call lettersfor the channel, a channel name, a network affiliation, etc.), the titleof the program currently airing on the channel, or other informationspecific to the channel.

The system may display a list of channel numbers associated with theentered digits during channel entry. The list of channels may be sortednumerically, by type, by frequency of viewing, by recent use, byfavorite channels, etc.

The system may notify a user when channels are related to the channelnumber of the entered digit or digits during channel entry. The relatedchannels may be channels that are components of another channel, orchannels that are from the same provider, network, or of the same typesuch as PPV channels, digital music channels, movie channels, broadcastchannels, etc.

The system may allow a user to assign a source identifier to channelnumbers from different sources. The system may display the channels fromthe multiple sources with their corresponding source identifier duringchannel entry.

The interactive channel entry system may be implemented on a television,a computer, a radio system, or other suitable platform.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in which an interactive channel entrysystem is implemented in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a remote control that can be used in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing information inresponse to channel number entry in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of illustrative channel number entry screensdisplaying program listing information in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing a list of channelsin response to channel number entry in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams of illustrative channel number entry screensdisplaying lists of channels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of illustrative channel number entry screens inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an illustrative channel number entry screendisplaying a list of channels sorted by both favorite channels andnumerically in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of steps involved in notifying a user if theentered channel number has related channels in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of illustrative channel number entry screensnotifying the user of related channels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of illustrative channel number entry screensnotifying the user of component channels in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an alternative system in which an interactivechannel entry system is implemented in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of illustrative menu displays in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an illustrative channel number entry screen inwhich channel numbers are labeled by source in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of steps involved in displaying information inresponse to entry of a channel number and allowing a user to select adisplayed number in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 depicts an alternative remote control that can be used inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative television system 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1. Television program listings data for thecurrent and future television programs may be stored in data source ordatabase 14 of main facility 12. The program listings data for eachprogram may include the title of the program, the channel of theprogram, a scheduled broadcast time (start time) and an ending time (orduration). Program listings data, may also include the type of channel(e.g., PPV channel, digital music channel, movie channel, broadcastchannel, etc.) and information on related channels (e.g., componentchannels, etc.). Main facility 12 may distribute the program listingsdata to multiple television distribution facilities 22 viacommunications paths such as communications path 18. Communicationspaths 18 may be any suitable communications paths, such as satellitelinks, telephone network links, cable or fiber optic links, microwavelinks, Internet links, or combinations of such paths. Only onetelevision distribution facility 16 is illustrated in FIG. 1 to avoidover-complicating the drawing. For clarity, the invention will beprimarily discussed in connection with the use of one such televisiondistribution facility. Television distribution facility 16 may be, forexample, a cable system headend, a broadcast distribution facility, or asatellite television distribution facility.

Each television distribution facility 15 has a number of associatedusers each of which has user television equipment 22 connected totelevision distribution facility 16 via one of communications paths 20.Communications paths 20 may be any suitable type of link suitable forsupporting television programming and data. For example, if televisiondistribution facility 16 is a cable system, communications paths 20 maybe cable. Paths 20 may be used to distribute television programming touser television equipment 22. The television signals distributed to usertelevision equipment 22 may be analog, digital or both.

Paths 20 may also be used to distribute data such as program listingsdata to user television equipment 22. Data may be distributed using anin-band or out-of-band technique and may use digital or analogtechniques. Data may be distributed continuously, periodically, oron-demand. If desired, data may be distributed by one or moredistribution facilities that are similar to television distributionfacility 16 using communications paths that are separate fromcommunications paths 20. Communications paths 20 may include, forexample, a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiberoptic link, a microwave link, an Internet link, a digital subscriberline (DSL) link, a combination of such links, or any other suitablecommunications link.

Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box such asset-top box 30, but which may be other suitable equipment into whichcircuitry similar to set-top box circuitry has been integrated. Set-topbox 30 may have memory 35. Memory 35 may be any memory or other storagedevice, such as random-access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acombination of such devices, etc., that is suitable for storing data andsoftware instructions. Each set-top box 30 preferably contains aprocessor to handle tasks associated with implementing interactivechannel entry functions and displaying data on display device 50.

For clarity, the present invention is described primarily in connectionwith user television equipment 22 based on a set-top box arrangement.This is merely illustrative. The interactive tuning features of thepresent invention may be implemented using user television equipment 22that is based on a personal computer, a WebTV box, a personal computertelevision (PC/TV), or handheld computing device, etc. If desired, thesystem may be implemented using a client-server architecture using usertelevision equipment 22 as a client processor and a computer intelevision distribution facility 16 as a server.

Television programming from television distribution facility 16 anddisplay screens from set-top box 30 may be provided to display device 50using communications path 39, which may be, for example, a cable orwire. Display device 50 may be any suitable display device such as atelevision or a computer monitor. The user may view televisionprogramming on display device 50 and may use display device 50 (or anauxiliary audio system) to listen to music channels or other audioprograms.

Set-top box 30 and display device 50 may be controlled by user inputdevice 40 or any other suitable user interface such as a remote control,mouse, trackball, wireless keypad, voice recognition system, touch pad,dedicated keys, etc. User input device 40 is shown in FIG. 2 as remotecontrol 42.

Television viewers sometimes feel overwhelmed by the large number ofprogramming choices available, particularly with modern cable andsatellite systems. The interactive channel entry features of system 10assist the user in entering, finding, and tuning to a desired program orchannel. These features allow system 10 to display on-screen informationwhenever the user enters digits for a channel with remote control 42.The interactive channel entry features of system 10 may also be used toprovide the user with a list of possible channels to which the user maytune.

Steps involved in using the interactive channel entry features of system10 to display information in response to the entry of the channel numberdigits by the user are shown in FIG. 3. At step 62, the system mayprovide the user with an opportunity to enter one or more digits thatidentify all or part of a desired channel number. Systems with anysuitable number of channels may be supported. For clarity, the systemwill be described in context of an arrangement in which there are 1000channels, numbered 0-999.

At step 64, the system may display textual program listings informationrelating to the channel or channels that are associated with the entereddigits. The program listings information that is displayed may vary inresponse to each additional digit entered by the user. The displayedprogram listings information may include the channel designator (e.g.,the call letter, name of channel, network affiliation, etc.), the titleof the program airing on the channel, or any other information specificto the channel.

The appearance of the user's display device 50 during the channel entrysteps of FIG. 3 is illustrated in. FIG. 4. When a user is initiallywatching a television, screen 70 may be displayed on display device 50.If the user desires to tune directly to channel 252, the user may entereach digit of the channel number. For example, the user may initiallypress the “2” key on user input device 40. This may result in screen 80,in which highlight region 85 and graphic 71 are displayed as overlays ontop of the program that was being displayed in screen 70. Highlightregion 85 may contain a channel number 82 corresponding to the entereddigit and program listings information 84 associated with the entereddigit. In screen 80, the program listings information 84 is the channeldesignator KGWN. Graphic 71 may contain up graphic arrow 12, downgraphic arrow 74 and “ENTER” or “OK” graphic 75.

The user may then press the “5” key which may result in the displayingof screen 90. Screen 90 contains graphic 71 and highlight region 35.Highlight region 85 may include channel number 82 corresponding to theentered digits “25” and its associated channel designator MTV. The usermay then press the “2” key which may result in the displaying of screen100, Screen 100 may have graphic 71 and highlight region 85. Highlight,region &5 of screen 100 may include channel number 82 corresponding tothe entered digits “252” and its associated channel designator DSC.

Channel 252 is the desired channel. In order to tune to this channel,the user may wait for a predetermined or a user-selectable amount oftime or may press an “ENTER” or “OK” key (hereinafter referred to as the“OK” key) on user input device 40. For example, the user may press the“OK” key and the system will tune to the desired channel as shown inscreen 110. Screen 110 may initially display the contents of highlightregion 85 in screen 100 such as channel number 82 for the channel towhich set-top box is currently tuned and its associated program listingsinformation 84 for a certain period of time. The absence of a highlighton channel number 82 or program listings 84 in screen 110 may be usefulas a signal to the user that the system has tuned to the desiredchannel.

When used, the highlight region 85 may be displayed as a solidhighlight, a semi-transparent highlight, or an outline of a box. Fromany of screens 80, 90, and 100, the user may press the “DELETE” key toreturn to a previous screen. This effectively removes or deletes thelast entered digit. For example, if screen 100 is displayed, the usermay press the “DELETE” key to return to screen 90. This may beparticularly useful with a large number of channels because a user isable to correct a mistake made in entering a channel number withouthaving to re-enter the entire number. In addition, displaying theprogram listings information 84 for the channel may allow the user todetermine whether the channel number that the user entered is correctbefore tuning to that channel. The screen displays in FIG. 4 are merelyillustrative, Although highlight region 85 is shown as highlighting achannel designator corresponding to channel number 82, it will beunderstood that region 85 may contain any suitable program listingsinformation (such as the types of program listings information describedin connection with step 64 of FIG. 3).

Graphic 71 serves to notify the user that a navigation key or keys onthe user input device 40 may be used to navigate through or select oneof the channels available to the user. Graphic 71 in screens 80, 80, and100 contains up arrow graphic 72, down arrow graphic 74 and an “ENTER”or “OK” graphic 75. If a user presses the up arrow on user input device40 while on screen 90, the next higher channel number (e.g. 26) and itscorresponding channel designator may be highlighted by highlight region85. Similarly, if the user deciders to press the down arrow on userinput device 40 twenty-three times, the system may display screen 80with “2” as the highlighted channel number 82. In this way, by pressingup and down arrows 72 and 74, the user may navigate numerically throughthe available channel numbers. If the user navigates to the number or achannel to which the user desires to tune, the user may wait for aperiod of time (after which the system tunes to the desired channelautomatically) or may press the “OK” key on user input device 40 to tuneto the desired channel.

If desired, a list of channel numbers may be displayed as the userenters digits of a channel number. FIG. 5 shows illustrative stepsinvolved in displaying a such list of channels. At step 120, the systemmay provide the user with an opportunity to enter one or more digitsthat identify all or part of a channel number. At step 122, the systemmay display a list of channel numbers associated with the entered digitor digits. The channel numbers in the list may be sorted numerically, bytype, by frequency of viewing, by recent use, by favorite channels, etc.The channels may also be sorted by any other suitable technique or acombination of ouch techniques.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various different ways in which the system mayhandle the channel number entry process of FIG. 5. If a user desires totune to channel 252, for example, the user may first press the “2” key.In response, the system may display a screen such as screens 125 shownin FIG. 6A-6C. Each screen 125 may include graphic 71, highlight region85, and channel list 126. Each screen 125 may differ from screen 80 ofFIG. 3, because screen 125 may include channel list 136. Channel list126 may be sorted numerically and may contain channels 20-29, which arenumerically the first ten channels that begin with the entered digit “2”while not including the entered digit “2”. Ten channels is anillustrative number of channels to display in list 126. Any suitablenumber of channels may be included in list 126 if desired.

After the user presses “2”, the user may press the “5” key. In response,the system may display screens 130 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. Screens 130may also contain, graphic 71, highlight region 85, and channel list 126.Channel list 126 in screens 130 contains channels 250-259, which arenumerically the first ten channels that begin with the entered digits“25” while not including the entered digits “25”.

Channel 252 is the channel to which the user desires to tune. Channel252 is displayed within list 126 in screens 130. Various alternativearrangements may be used to allow the user to tune to channel 252.

One suitable arrangement is shown in FIG. 6A. From screen 130 in FIG.6A, the user may press the “2” key which may result in the displaying ofscreen 135 a. Screen 135 a contains graphic 71 and list 126 as shown inscreen 130. Channel number 82 for the entered digits “252” and itsassociated program listings information 84 are highlighted by highlightregion 85 within list 126. A reason why list 126 of screen 135 a is thesame as list 126 of screens 130 is that channel 999 is the maximumavailable channel (in this example). There are therefore no availablechannels that numerically begin with 252 besides channel 252, so list126 may not change. In order for the system to tune to channel 252, theuser may wait for a certain amount of time or may press an “OK” key.

Another suitable arrangement is one in which the system allows the userto tune to channel number 252 as shown in FIG. 6B. From screen 130 ofFIG. 6B, the user may press the “2” key, which may result in thedisplaying of screen 135 b. Screen 135 b contains graphic 71, region 82,and truncated list 126 b. Truncated list 126 b may contain fewer channelnumbers than were displayed in the list of screen 130. Channel number 82and its associated program listings information 84 are within highlightregion 85. Highlight region 85 of FIG. SB may be displayed in generallythe same location as it was in screen 130 of FIG. 6B to provide the userwith a feeling of continuity between screens. In order for the system totune to channel 252, the user may wait for a certain amount of time, ormay press an “OK” key.

Another suitable arrangement is one in which the system allows the userto navigate the highlight to channel number 252 as shown in FIG. 6C. Theuser may press the down arrow three times after screen 130 of FIG. 6C isdisplayed to move the highlight region 85 from entered channel “25” todesired channel 252 number by number. This may result in a screen layoutsuch as the layout of screen 135 c. Screen 135 c may contain graphic 71,region 85, list 126, and entered channel information 128. Channelinformation 128 may include channel number 82 of the entered digits andassociated program listings information 84. Channel information 128 mayremain displayed because the user is navigating highlighted region 85through the displayed channel numbers. In order for the system to tuneto channel 252, the user may wait for a certain amount of time (afterwhich the system tunes to the highlighted channel) or may press an “OK”key to tune immediately to the highlighted channel.

In each of the arrangements of FIGS. 6A-6C, the system may display ascreen such as screen 110 of FIG. 4 when the system tunes to channel252.

FIG. 7 illustrates another suitable arrangement for supporting thechannel entry feature described in connection with the steps of FIG. 5.The displayed program listings information 84 may include both a channelidentifier (e.g., DSC) and the title of the program currently airing onthe channel (e.g., Sharks.) Screen 135 d may be displayed after the userenters the digits “2”, “5”, and “2”. In the system supports a maximumchannel number of 999 (or other three-digit limit), a channel list suchas list 126 of FIGS. 6A-6C need not be displayed because there are noother available channels associated with entered digits “252”. The usermay tune to channel 252 by waiting for a certain period of time or bypressing the “OK” key.

Screen 140 may be displayed when the system tunes to channel 252. Screen140 may (at least initially) display the contents of highlight region 85of screen 135 d, (e.g., channel number 82 and associated programlistings information 84.) This information may be removed after a fewseconds, so that the user's view of the current television program isnot cluttered.

Another channel entry approach is shown in FIG. 8. Screen 150 may bedisplayed after the user presses the “4” key. Screen 150 may containgraphic 71, region 85, favorite channel list 127, entered channelinformation 128, and shortened channel list 126′. The displayed channelsare sorted by favorite channels and numerically. The favorite channelsassociated with entered digit “4” displayed in favorite channel list 127and may be sorted numerically. A channel may become a favorite channelby pressing the “FAV” key on remote control 42 when the system is tunedto that channel or by pressing the “FAV” key when that channel isdisplayed within highlight region 85. Favorite channels may also beselected from a different display screen. The channel number of theentered digit “4” may be displayed as entered channel information 128.The first ten channel numbers numerically associated with entered digit“4” minus any of those numbers already displayed in favorite channellist 127 may be displayed in shortened channel list 126′.

It will be understood that in any of the illustrated embodiments of thesteps shown in FIG. 5, channel list 126 may contain a different numberof channels than the illustrative number ten. From any of the screensdisplayed after a channel number has been directly entered, the user maypress the “DELETE” key, which may allow the system to return to thescreen displayed before the digit was entered. Displayed programlistings information 84 has been shown to include the channel designatoror both the channel designator and the program currently airing on thechannel. In general, displayed program listings information 84 mayinclude the channel designator (e.g., the call letter, name of channel,network affiliation, etc.), the program airing on the channel, any otherinformation specific to the channel, or a combination of suchinformation.

The various lists of displayed channels associated with the entereddigit or digits have been shown to be sorted either numerically or byfavorites and numerically. In general, the displayed channel lists maybe sorted numerically, by type, by frequency of viewing, by recent use,by favorite channels, or by using any other suitable ordering technique.The channels may also be sorted by any combination of these techniques.

Graphic 71 has been shewn in screens 125, 130, and 135 a-d as containingup arrow graphic 72, down, arrow graphic 74 and “ENTER” or “OK” graphic75. As described above, graphic 71 may be used to notify a user thatnavigation key or keys on the user input device 40 may be used tonavigate through or select one of the channels available to the user. Inthese embodiments, the up and down arrows 72 and 74 may be used to movehighlight region 55 through the displayed channels numbers. For example,in any one of screens 125, if the user continuously presses up arrow 72,region 85 will move from channel 2 to channel 29, channel 28, etc. andcontinue to loop through the displayed channels. When a channel to whicha user desires to tune is highlighted by region 85, the user may tune tothat channel by waiting for a certain period of time or by pressing the“OK” key. An additional arrangement may be one where when region 85 isnavigated to the bottom of the displayed channels (e.g. 29) by pressingdown arrow 74, the next entering of down arrow 74 may display channelnumbers 200-209 in channel list 126. Alternatively, up and down arrows72 and 74 may be used to scroll up and down through the displayedchannels accordingly. For example, if up arrow 72 is pressed for any oneof screens 130, each displayed number may move up to the screen positionoccupied by the number just above it and the lowest number (e.g. 29) onthe list may be replace by the next channel number (e.g. 30) Similarly,if down arrow 74 is pressed for any one of screens 130, each displayednumber may move down to the next number. Top number 2 may be replacedwith either channel number 19, channel number 1 or any other suitablenumber.

FIG. 9 shows steps involved in notifying the user of channels that arerelated to the channel number of the digit or digits that the user hasentered. At step 160, the system may provide the user with anopportunity to enter one or more digits that identify all or part of achannel number. At step 162, the system may notify the user if there isa channel or channels related to the channel number of the entered digitor digits. Related channels may include channels that are components ofanother channel, or channels that are from the same provider or networkor of the same type (PPV channels, digital music channels, moviechannels, broadcast channels, etc.)

One suitable approach for notifying the user when a channel number has arelated channel or channels is illustrated in FIG. 10. When a userenters digits “1” and “4”, screen 170 may be displayed. Screen 170 maycontain region 85, graphic 71, and related channel list 172. These itemsmay be displayed and overlays on top of a television program currentlybeing displayed on display device 50. Region 85 may contain channelnumber 82 for entered digits “14” and its associated program listinginformation 84. Graphic 71 may contain right arrow graphic 78, which maynotify the user that entered digits “14” have related channels. Relatedchannel list 172 may contain channels related to channel number 82 ofthe entered digits “14”. Channel 14 is shown as HBO and may be relatedto other HBO channels such as channels 572 and 574. If the user desiresto tune to related channel 572, then the user may press right arrow 78.This may result in highlight region 85 moving across into relatedchannel list 172 surrounding displayed channel 572 and its associatedprogram listings information, as shown in screen 180. Graphic 71 inscreen 180 may contain left arrow graphic 76. Left arrow graphic 76 maynotify the user that highlight region 85 may be repositioned on entereddigits “14”. The user may tune to channel 572 by waiting for a certainperiod of time (e.g. a second or so) or by pressing the “OK” key.

Component channels may be clusters of channels sponsored by a commonentity. There may be one multiplexed channel that contains “main”programming and “minor” programming which may be considered to be one ormore component channels of the “main” programming. However, there may betwo or more channels where one channel contains the “main” programmingand the other channel or channels may contain the “minor” programmingwhich may be component channels of the “main” programming. The componentchannels may contain different types of content such as audio, video,and high definition television (HDTV) channels.

Component channels may be handled similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 11.If a user enters the digit “9”, screen 130 may be displayed. Screen 190may contain region 85, graphic 71, and component channel list 132.Region 85 may contain channel number 82 of entered digit “9” and itsassociated program listing information 84. Graphic 71 may contain rightarrow graphic 78 which may notify the user that entered digit “9” hasrelated component channels. Component channel list 192 may containcomponent channels related to entered digit “9”. If the user desires toview the program Live News Updates on component channel 9.2, then theuser may press right arrow 7 a and then down arrow 74. This may resultin region 85 moving across into related channel list 192 and down tosurround displayed channel 9.2 and its associated program listingsinformation, as shown in screen 200. The user may then tune to channel9.2 by waiting for a certain period of time or by pressing the “OK.”key.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict channel entry scenarios where both enteredchannels have related channels. Not every channel may have relatedchannels. If a channel number is entered that does not have relatedchannels, then displayed graphic 71 preferably does not contain rightarrow 78 and related channel lists are preferably not displayed.

Channels may be included in more than one group of related channels. Forexample, channel 572 which may be related to channel 14 may have relatedcomponent channels. Therefore, the user may navigate region 85 in screen170 to channel 572 by pressing right arrow 78 as shown in screen 180.Graphic 71 may contain right arrow graphic 78 to notify the user thatchannel 572 has related component channels. The user may press rightarrow 78 to view the list of channels related to channel 572.

Graphic 71 in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes up arrow graphic 73, down arrowgraphic 74 and “OK” OR “ENTER” graphic 75. When region 85 ishighlighting a channel in a related channel list such as shown in screen180 of FIG. 10, the up and down remote control arrow keys may be used tonavigate region 85 only through the related channel list. When region 85is highlighting entered channel number 82, then the up and down arrowkeys will preferably navigate through all of the available channels.

The steps shown in FIG. 9 may be used with the steps shows in FIG. 5.The system may then display a list of channels associated with theentered digit or digits and notify the user if the entered digit ordigits have related channels.

An alternative embodiment of a television system is shown in FIG. 12 assystem 300. System 300 is similar to system 10 except that usertelevision equipment 22′ may receive television programming from morethan one source. FIG. 12 shows how user television equipment 22′ mayreceive television programming from broadcast distribution facility 16a, satellite television distribution facility 16 b, and cable system 16c which all may receive the television programming from main facility 13or from several different main facilities. Antenna 310 may be connectedto user television equipment 22′ via communication path 20 a, which maybe, for example, a cable or wire. Satellite dish 320 may be connected touser television equipment 22′ via communications path 20 b, which maybe, for example, a cable, wire or fiber optic link. Cable system headendmay be connected to user television equipment 22′ via communicationspath 20 c. which may be, for example, a cable. Cable system headend 16 cmay provide user television equipment 22′ with two cable lines such asin a dual cable system. Paths 20 a, 20 b and 20 c may also transmit datato user television equipment 22′. Set-top box 30′ may provide televisionprogramming from antenna 310, satellite dish 320, and cable systemheadend 16 c and display screens to display device 50 usingcommunications path 39. The arrangement of FIG. 12 is describedprimarily in connection, with user television equipment 22′ based on aset-top box 30′ arrangement for clarity. This is merely illustrative.The interactive channel entry feature may be implemented using usertelevision equipment that is based on a personal computer, a WebTV box,a personal computer television (PC/TV), a handheld computing device,etc.

Screen 400 of FIG. 13 displays a system menu 401 that may be used to setup system 300 of FIG. 12. System menu 401 may be accessed by pressingthe “menu” key on user input device 40. System menu 401 may containcursor 405, which may be controlled by navigation keys on user inputdevice 40. Graphic 71 may notify the user of which navigation keys arecurrently activated at a given time. System menu 401 may allow a user toturn on or off the option of displaying the channel designator, theoption of having the program title appear on the entered channel, andthe option of displaying related channels during channel entry. Systemmenu 401 may also allow the user to decide whether a channel list is tobe displayed during channel entry and if so, how it is to be sorted. Forexample, if a user prefers to view program titles during channel entry,the user may press the down arrow key once to move cursor 405 down onespace and then may press either the left arrow key or the right arrowkey to turn ON the program titles from system menu 401.

Multiple sources menu 411 as shown in screen 410 may be reached bypressing the “OK” or “ENTER” key when cursor 405 is on SETUP undermultiple sources in system menu 401. Multiple sources menu 411 may allowa user to specify up to and (if desired) more than three differenttelevision program sources for system 300. Multiple sources menu 411 mayalso allow a user to specify a channel identifier to distinguish, forexample, channel 11 from a cable source from channel 11 from a broadcastsource. As shown, in multiple sources menu 411, cable source numbers mayhave identifier “C” added to their channel number. System 300 may assumethat the first source is cable and that is why multiple sources menu 411in screen 410 may not provide a user with the ability to select listingsfor the first source. The choice of listings in menu 411 is availablebecause there may be many different sources that the user may connect tosystem 300 depending on the user's location. If the source does notcontain program listings information, the information may be receivedfrom television distribution facility 16 or from other distributionfacilities as long as the source listing is identified. In anotherarrangement, the system may automatically assign each source with asource identifier. For example, if cable system headend 16 c suppliestelevision programming as in a dual cable system, system 300 manyautomatically assign a different source identifier to the channels oneach cable.

Screen 420 in FIG. 14 illustrates how source identifiers may be used.For example, if a user desires to tune to satellite channel 46, the usermay press the digits “4” and then “6”. This may cause the system todisplay screen 420. Because source identifiers were chosen from menu411, there is a source identifier displayed adjunct to all threechannels 46 that are available to the user. The user should immediatelyrealize that channel 46S is the desired channel. The user may then pressdown arrow 74 and then the “OK” or “ENTER” key to tune to satellitechannel 46. The channel designator of the three channels 46 aredisplayed in screen 420 because they were set to ON in system menu 401.

It will be understood from system menu 401 that the channel entrytechnique used for a system with multiple sources may be based on anycombination of the foregoing interactive channel selection approaches,Additionally, from screen 420, if a user presses up and down arrow keys,the user may be able to navigate through all of the available channels.In one arrangement, the system may only display channels with the samechannel number at any single time while navigating. For example, if theuser presses the up arrow key and there is only a cable channel 47, thenonly that channel will be displayed.

The foregoing interactive channel selection techniques may be used invarious other contexts. For example, these channel selection techniquesmay be used for locating a numbered entry in a table, grid, or list.Interactive television program guides may list channel numbers againsttimes in a table, grid, list, or any other suitable arrangement(hereinafter referred to as a table). Systems 10 and 300 may both beconfigured to display a program guide table on display device 60. FIG.15 shows the steps involved in channel number selection when locating anentry in a table. At step 500, the system may provide the user with anopportunity to enter one or more digits that specify all or part of adesired number. At step 510, in response to each entered digit, thesystem may display a list of numbers associated with the entered digitor digits, information associated with the entered digit or digits, or anotification that the entered digit or digits have related channelnumbers or any combination of these. Step 510 may involve displaying anyof the types of information and numbers that may be displayed using thearrangements of FIGS. 4, 6A-C, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 14. At step 520, thesystem may provide the user with an opportunity to select or to navigateto and select a displayed number. At step 530A, the system may displaythe location of the selected channel number in a table, grid, or listthat may contain program listings information.

User television equipment 22 or 22′ may be based on a personal computerand communications paths 20 may be an Internet link such as a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) link, cable modem link, analog modem link, oranother other suitable link. The data received over paths 20 may includedata in the form of web pages. These arrangements may be used forlocating a numbered web page. The steps for locating a numbered web pageincludes steps 500, 510, and 520 as described above. However, after step520, when the user selects a displayed number, the system may displaythe web page for the selected number. For example, the web page may beassigned a “channel” number based on the information displayed on theweb page.

The foregoing channel selection arrangements may be used for tuning to aradio station. All radio stations have a number corresponding to theirtransmitting frequency. Stations may also have call letters and aprogram schedule. A user may enter numbers into a radio with a userinput device. The radio or user input device for the radio may have adisplay screen. The steps for tuning to a radio station may includesteps 500, 510, and 520 as described above. After step 520, when theuser selects a displayed channel number, the system may tune to theselected radio station.

FIG. 16 shows an alternative illustrative view of user input device 40that may be used in any of the foregoing arrangements as remote control600. Remote control 600 may contain a display screen 650 for displayingdisplay screens from set-top box 30. In addition, display screen 650 maydisplay television programming from set-top box 30. Alternatively,television programming may be displayed on a separate display devicesuch as a television. For example, display screen 650 is showndisplaying the overlay shown in screen 420 of FIG. 14. If the userdesires to tune to broadcast channel 46B, the user may navigatehighlight region 685 to channel 46B with up and down arrow keys 602 and604 and then wait for a certain period of time or press the “OK” key.Additionally, the user may press the button 610 aligned next to channelnumber 46B or display screen 650 may be touch sensitive and the user maytouch the displayed number 46B to tune to that channel.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can bepracticed by other than the described embodiments, which are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present,invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method for facilitating selection of a desiredprogram in a system, the method comprising: receiving, using user inputcircuitry, a first character entered by a user; in response to receivingthe first character, generating for display, using control circuitry, afirst set of program listings on a video display device, wherein eachprogram listing of the first set of program listings is associated withrespective program listing information corresponding to the firstcharacter; receiving, using the user input circuitry, a second characterentered by the user; and in response to receiving the second character:forming a search string based on combining the first character followedby the second character; retrieving, from a database, using the controlcircuity, a second set of program listings, wherein each program listingof the second set of program listings is associated with respectiveprogram listing information corresponding to the search string;retrieving, from a profile of the user, an ordering criterion associatedwith the second set of program listings; and generating for display thesecond set of program listings wherein each program listing of thesecond set of program listings is ordered based on the orderingcriterion.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the user input circuitrycomprises a numerical input keyboard.
 22. The method of claim 20,wherein the profile of the user indicates a frequency of userinteraction with program listings of the second set of program listings,and wherein the ordering criterion comprises ranking the programlistings based on the frequency, such that a program listing of thesecond set of program listings having a highest frequency of userinteraction has a highest ranking.
 23. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: receiving, using the input circuitry, user input selectingone of the displayed second plurality of program listings; and inresponse to receiving the user input, generating for display a mediaasset associated with the selected one of the displayed second pluralityof program listings.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein generating fordisplay the media asset comprises generating for display a web pageassociated with the media asset.
 25. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: automatically selecting, without user input, a first of thedisplayed second set of program listings in response to determining thatgreater than a threshold amount of time has passed since receiving thesecond character entered by the user; and generating for display a mediaasset associated with the first of the displayed second set of programlistings.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein the respective programlisting information comprises at least one of a channel number, achannel name, a channel designator, a network affiliation, and/or atitle of a media asset associated with the respective program listing.27. The method of claim 20, wherein the second set of program listingsis a subset of the first set of program listings.
 28. The method ofclaim 20, wherein each program listing of the second set of programlistings is associated with programming source of a plurality ofprogramming sources.
 29. The method of claim 20, wherein the displayedsecond set of program listings further comprise at least one of a starttime, duration, and/or end time.
 30. A system for facilitating selectionof a desired program, the system comprising control circuitry configuredto: receive a first character entered by a user; in response toreceiving the first character, generate for display a first set ofprogram listings on a video display device, wherein each program listingof the first set of program listings is associated with respectiveprogram listing information corresponding to the first character;receive a second character entered by the user; and in response toreceiving the second character: form a search string based on combiningthe first character followed by the second character; retrieve, from adatabase, using the control circuity, a second set of program listings,wherein each program listing of the second set of program listings isassociated with respective program listing information corresponding tothe search string; retrieve, from a profile of the user, an orderingcriterion associated with the second set of program listings; andgenerate for display the second set of program listings wherein eachprogram listing of the second set of program listings is ordered basedon the ordering criterion.
 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the userinput circuitry comprises a numerical input keyboard
 32. The system ofclaim 30, wherein the profile of the user indicates a frequency of userinteraction with program listings of the second set of program listings,and wherein the ordering criterion comprises ranking the programlistings based on the frequency, such that a program listing of thesecond set of program listings having a highest frequency of userinteraction has a highest ranking.
 33. The system of claim 30, whereinthe control circuitry is further configured to: receive, using the inputcircuitry, user input selecting one of the displayed second plurality ofprogram listings; and in response to receiving the user input, generatefor display a media asset associated with the selected one of thedisplayed second plurality of program listings.
 34. The system of claim33, wherein the control circuitry is further configured, when generatingfor display the media asset, to generate for display a web pageassociated with the media asset.
 35. The system of claim 30, wherein thecontrol circuitry is further configured to: automatically select,without user input, a first of the displayed second set of programlistings in response to determining that greater than a threshold amountof time has passed since receiving the second character entered by theuser; and generate for display a media asset associated with the firstof the displayed second set of program listings.
 36. The system of claim30, wherein the respective program listing information comprises atleast one of a channel number, a channel name, a channel designator, anetwork affiliation, and/or a title of a media asset associated with therespective program listing.
 37. The system of claim 30, wherein thesecond set of program listings is a subset of the first set of programlistings.
 38. The system of claim 30, wherein each program listing ofthe second set of program listings is associated with programming sourceof a plurality of programming sources.
 39. The system of claim 30,wherein the displayed second set of program listings further comprise atleast one of a start time, duration, and/or end time.